It was a wet and misty day at the Merry Maidens for this Handfasting ceremony. Cornish weather is unpredictable and in this type of work you carry on regardless. It is not always glamorous with perfectly posed photographs but extremely satisfying. The following photographs are by John Isaac.

This was the feedback we received:

“Can’t thank you enough for your amazing witchery, excellent crowd control, and the winning one liner of the day by Laetitia “tell them you’re a bit tied up at the moment” when the groom’s phone went off in his pocket during a crucial handfast situation. Cassandra said it would be memorable and it was, and you both played a very major part in making it so! To quote Lou Reed – just a perfect day! Thanks again. Will keep in touch.”

We enjoyed a wonderful day with a fabulous group of people…. and there is nothing better than praise from an experienced and wonderful wise woman on how impressed she is with my work.

Cassandra and I have been celebrants for many Hand-fastings since 2009. I enjoy these immensely as it is an exciting and important celebration for all concerned.

We do our utmost to give the couple the ceremony they have dreamed of and we work closely with them in the weeks leading up to their big day.

This year we performed a ceremony of Handfasting for a young couple at St Loy woods. It was important to the bride that the bluebells were in bloom as this was a special time of the year for them both.

Bluebells at St Loy Woods

The ceremonies can vary in size and location, some are large affairs with many guests and others are more intimate with only the couple and maybe a few close friends. These ceremonies will have plenty of ‘on-lookers’ whether it be the creatures of the wild or ancient spirits of the land and sea. My ceremonial training comes to the fore here when setting up the space in which to perform these rites.

Merry Maidens stone circle

The photograph above was taken at one of out first ceremonies together held at the Merry Maidens stone circle. Only members of the couple’s family were present, it was short notice but very special for them. Chinese tourists passed the circle on an open top bus and many cameras appeared to capture the scene.

Crean Mill.

Cassandra and I performed this Handfasting ceremony (above) in the grounds of a Mill house we rented in 2010. It was a beautiful warm October day and the setting amongst the trees beside the small stream was tranquil and spiritual.

King Arthur’s Castle Tintagel

We enjoyed this Handfasting (above) as it was a medieval affair held at King Arthur’s castle in Tintagel. Despite a few showers of rain it did not dampen the celebrations at this ancient venue. We later enjoyed a hog roast buffet in the King Arthur’s Arms along with much merrymaking. A wonderful weekend.

Prussia Cove Image – Mandy Raywood

Image- Mandy Raywood

Image – Mandy Raywood

This ceremony (above) was at Prussia Cove where the couple first met. The weather was beautiful and working close to the sea was a profound experience for me. The couple have become good friends, we visit them often and they now have two adorable children.

Boscawen-un stone circle is a popular site for Handfasting ceremonies. We will always remember this one as our ‘Obby ‘Oss Penkevyll also made an appearance and danced with her Teazers from Boekka.

Madron Baptistry

Godolphin House Dining Room. Image – Alam

Madron Baptistry was the venue for this Handfasting (above). A couple had travelled here from France accompanied by their family. They stayed at Godolphin House where we joined them for a sumptuous medieval wedding feast and plenty of champagne in the historical dining room. It was fabulous!

Sancreed Holy Well

A couple from overseas came to us for their ceremony held at Sancreed Holy Well. They requested we purchase and decorate their broomstick while putting specific fertile energies into it. Six weeks after the event they informed us that they had conceived and now have a beautiful daughter!

The Sennen Coastguard Look-Out Image – Lee Searle

Image – Lee Searle

The ceremony (above) was performed at the Sennen Coastguard look-out on a wild, cold and windy day! We could not place any items on the table as the wind tipped them over. The bride’s veil attached to her hat was vertical most of the time. Their friends were huddled behind the building to shelter from the forceful wind. We laughed about it but were determined not to let the weather spoil their ceremony. We appreciated the warm open fire in the First and Last public house after the ceremony.

Carn Glaze Caverns

We were Celebrants at two Hand-fasting ceremonies in the beautiful Carn Glaze Caverns. One was for a couple with a small family group. The acoustics in the Caverns are wonderful when using a bull roarer and the echoes of the vows made. The lake in the caves is also very magical.

The other Hand-fasting performed there was for a jovial couple whose laughter is infectious to those around them. They had also requested our ‘Obby ‘Oss Penkevyll and Boekka to perform for them during the feast in the caves, as well as a fire display team. It was a wonderful day.

They came to visit last week, we were delighted to see them and hear that they are well and happy.

These are a few Handfastings we have conducted. All of them are special and unique.

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